Plea for CBI probe into Vadra land deal dismissed

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Tuesday dismissed a PIL seeking a CBI probe into the licences granted to several real estate developers in Haryana, including one allegedly associated with Congress chief Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra.

Sharma had alleged that several licences were issued to developers and builders for turning 21,366 acres of agricultural land into colonies without complying with the statutory rules.

The Delhi High Court in July this year reserved its order on maintainability of a PIL seeking a court-monitored CBI probe into various land deals allegedly entered into by Robert Vadra’s firms.

A bench of Chief Justice G Rohini and Justice R S Endlaw reserved its order after hearing brief arguments of advocate ML Sharma, who had filed the plea in his personal capacity.

"First satisfy us on the issue of jurisdiction of this court," the bench had said.

The cause of action partially had arisen in Delhi as various offices and constitutional bodies such as Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and Ministry of Urban development are located here, the lawyer said.

"I have already given a representation to the CBI. But it neither registered an FIR nor lodged even a preliminary enquiry in the case which relates to huge loss caused to the exchequer during 2005 to 2012," he said.

He also submitted a copy of a recent Supreme Court judgement, which directs police authorities to register an FIR ‘mandatorily’ if the allegations disclose the commission of cognizable offences/offences.

The plea had also sought a probe into grant of licenses to change land use of agricultural plots purchased by Vadra companies in Gurgaon.